Press Releases

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) reiterates its position on the Huangyan Island and its surrounding waters

Date: 2012/04/25 Data Source: 公眾外交協調會

No. 093
April 20, 2012

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) notes the disputes arising over the Huangyan Island and its surrounding waters and reiterates its staunch position as follows:

1.Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal) belongs to the Chungsha Islands (Macclesfield Islands) and, whether looked at from the perspective of history, geography or international law, the Nansha Islands (Spratly Islands), the Shisha Islands (Paracel Islands), the Chungsha Islands (Macclesfield Islands) and the Tungsha Islands (Pratas Islands), as well as their surrounding waters, sea beds, and subsoil, are an inherent part of the territory of the Republic of China (Taiwan). These archipelagoes subsequently fall under the sovereignty of the Republic of China (Taiwan), which reasserts its rights over the islands and their surrounding waters, and refutes all claims to sovereignty over, or occupation of, these areas by other countries and areas.

2.The Republic of China (Taiwan) calls on countries and areas bordering the South China Sea to respect the principles and spirit of the Charter of the United Nations and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and to refrain from adopting unilateral measures that threaten the peace and stability of the region. Furthermore, the Republic of China (Taiwan) urges the countries concerned to exercise self-restraint so that peaceful resolutions can be reached through consultation. Taiwan remains willing to participate in dialogue that seeks to resolve disputes and promote regional peace, stability, and development.

3.The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) reiterates that it maintains the basic principles of “safeguarding sovereignty, shelving disputes, pursuing peace and reciprocity, and promoting joint exploration”, as well as willingness to work with other countries and areas to harvest the resources of the South China Sea. (E)